At least 12 families homeless after 3-alarm fire rips through apartments in Fordham

(04/25/04) FORDHAM - At least 12 Bronx families are temporarily homeless after a three-alarm fire ripped through a Bronx apartment building Sunday in Fordham. American Red Cross officials are providing emergency housing, food and clothing until the displaced tenants can get back into their apartments.

Nearly 100 Bronx firefighters battled heavy smoke conditions while putting out the fire. It started in apartment 5-2. Building residents say the hallways quickly filled with smoke, and they heard a loud explosion. A fire chief says everyone got out safely, and none of the residents were hurt in the fire.

Fire officials are currently investigating the cause of the fire. A total of 18 Bronx fire firefighters were injured in the blaze. Nine of them suffered burns.